Malaysia’s three-party opposition said they are not considering a merger yet but they may formalise their loose alliance.

The Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP), multiracial Keadilan party and the Islamic party PAS together won more than a third of parliamentary seats and five of the 13 states in March 8 elections.

"I think that issue is not on the table at the moment," DAP leader Lim Kit Siang was quoted by AFP as saying. Yet he said the opposition could move towards a more formal coalition.

The three parties have formed coalitions to govern the states of Selangor and Perak, while the administration in northern Penang is dominated by the DAP.

PAS governs northeastern Kelantan, which it has ruled since 1990, and now also administers Kedah in the northwest.